The Small Role the Council President Actually Plays
What Does the Borough Council President Actually Do?
In local government, titles can sound more powerful than they are. One common example? The Borough Council president. While the role carries influence, it does not come with executive power — and it’s important that residents understand exactly where the authority begins and ends.
Let’s break it down.
What the Council President Can Do
The Borough Council president is chosen by fellow council members to lead their meetings and help coordinate the work of the elected body. Their responsibilities include:
Preside over Borough Council meetings
Runs meetings like a chairperson
Helps manage the agenda, recognize speakers, and guide discussion
Calls for votes, but has only one vote, like any other member
Assign Council members to committees
Appoints members to areas such as public safety, finance, policy & ordinance, and parks
Helps shape discussion priorities, but committee decisions still require full Council action
Represent the Council publicly
May act as a spokesperson for Council-approved decisions
Cannot speak for the Borough or residents without official Council backing
Coordinate with Borough staff
Works with the Borough Manager or Secretary to prepare agendas and track follow-up
Does not supervise, direct, or evaluate staff — that is the Borough Manager’s job
What the Council President Cannot Do
This part is just as important — maybe more so. In Pennsylvania:
The Council president cannot act as the Borough Manager
They cannot supervise staff or run day-to-day Borough operations
They cannot spend Borough money or sign contracts without a Council vote
They cannot override the will of Council or make unilateral decisions
State law makes this clear:
“No mayor or member of council may serve as borough manager, secretary or treasurer.”
— Title 8 Pa.C.S. § 1104(c)
This law exists to protect transparency, avoid conflicts of interest, and ensure that no one person consolidates power.
Why This Matters
Understanding the limits of the Council president’s power is essential to protecting good government and public trust. The president is not a mayor, not a manager, and not a boss. Their job is to help lead the legislative process — not take over operations.
If a Council president tries to act as both elected official and Borough Manager, it’s not just a bad idea — it’s a violation of state law and a threat to democratic checks and balances.
Voters have the ultimate power to enforce the law and protect the democratic process.
Local government works best when everyone stays in their lane — and when residents keep a close eye on who’s driving.
